AeroPress coffee maker review

September 7, 8:39 AMLA Coffee ExaminerKim Winklhofer

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Yes, the AeroPress looks like a device hospitals use for objectionable purposes. Yes, it’s made by a company famous for its flying disc toys. But it makes fantastic coffee, sublimely smooth coffee.

The Pros
1, The device is easy to use. Put the grounds in the chamber with a filter. Add hot water. Stir. Press. Add a little more hot water. Voila. It’s coffee time. Using my microwave, I can have excellent coffee in 4 minutes. If you have one of those handy hot water dispensers, you can be drinking even faster.

2. It’s easy to clean. The used grounds come out neatly in a compact coffee puck. Rinse the plunger with water, and you’re ready for next time. Here's a video demonstration.

3. Coffee made with the AeroPress has about 80% less acidity than brewed coffee. This is because, unlike with drip coffee makers, the grounds are totally immersed. They swim freely for only 30 seconds, exuding all their roasty rich goodness into that water. French presses do this, too, but ground coffee sits for several minutes in a French press. The short “brewing” time reduces bitterness, too.

4. It's sludge free coffee. None of the grounds get through or around the paper filter.

5. If you need decaf and your spouse likes regular, this is perfect for you. No need for compromise.

The Cons
1. It requires about 20% more beans than my drip brewer does to make the same amount of coffee.

2. I wish it came with a container for all the various oddly shaped pieces.

3. If you're serving coffee to a group, turn to your drip brewer. The AeroPress is better suited for 1-2 people at a time.

Where To Get the AeroPress
Sur la Table carries it for $29.95. Here are their LA locations:

138 Caruso Avenue

Pasadena

161 W. Colorado Blvd

 

Plaza El Segundo
2009 East Park Place

 

Santa Monica

301 Wilshire Boulevard

 

Or order online at Amazon or ThinkGeek (one of my favorite online stores) for $25.99.

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Photo by permission from Alex Tenant of Aerobie, Inc.

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